What Can A Ford 4000 Do?

Basically the title says it all. My employer has basically become bankrupt, and rather than paying me, they are offering me this tractor.. Here are the facts:

It is the EARLY style Ford 4000

Diesel (not really running, something mechanical is wrong)

SOS Tranny (some little clip thing is broken, I think I can have a replacement made, but not sure)

It has nice tires, and a full set of Pie Weights.

It looks like a standard tractor, with an adjustable wide front.

They had been using it a lot, and it was one of the original tractors on the farm.

What CAN this tractor do?

Run a 9 foot swather?

Pull a PTO powered baler?

3 bottom plow?

___ Foot Disc?

What else can it do? I know that it would be a lot of work, but it would be worth it to me if I could use this tractor as an actual farm tractor. Not so much a restoration, but when I turn 18, I AM going to start farming on my own, and I would really like to have something that is a little bigger, and a little more reliable than all of my old tractors. This one is probably from the early 60's right?

Due to what they owe me, it is being valued at $480. They are on the fence, but I think it would probably be a good deal for both of us... What do you think?! Bryce

Four cylinder 4000 models were made in model years 63 and 64.

It will be about 42 PTO HP if in decent running condition.

Even non running, it is worth more than $480 in parts.

Insufficient information to be of much more help.

Dean

Well, what more do you want to know!?! Bryce

We had a '64 4000 S-O-S, it was a great tractor for its size, not sure about a 3 bottom plow in some conditions, but we ran a 535 ford mower conditioner, M-F side delivery mounted rake, pto powered, 532 ford baler, front mount factory snow plow, 5' ford rotary mower, 2 bottom plow, 6' disc, New Idea manure spreader, all with no problems.

The 4 cylinder diesel, check out the ford forum, there has been some discussion there recently in regards to rebuilding those and similar, kind of obsolete, or seems to be.

The S-0-S transmission was fine for all the work mentioned above, but you will need to investigate that further, parts, resources, its obsolete, but I am no position to say what is available, what resources you may have to make repairs, as well as maintenance, there are a few versions of these, you may want to see if you can ID it. Personally, I liked this transmission, spent many hours on that tractor.

As is, at $480, whole, complete, with power steering, good tires, remote hydraulics, other decent parts, if it was parted out or you could source everything to change it over to a manual trans, at a glance I would think you are still ok, though more expert advice would help you there.

If you decide on it, you will need the book on that particular model/transmission, may need to learn quite a bit to make repairs, adjustments, and or determine what problems it may currently have. I'd still take it for that value, just know what you are getting into, if all checks out it could be a decent running tractor, you'll get some good advice here, Tony Jacobs posted some detailed information in his comments on a rebuild post over on the ford forum, I've met with him before, he's extremely knowledgeable and very capable with those pre-thousand series tractors.

Pie weights alone are worth it, if complete, heavy or lighter set, complete with hardware, I should have mentioned that first I'd be all over that one, regardless, I'd vote yes without hesitation.

40-45 horse.2x16 plow.8' disk.9' haybine,OK.Baler,OK.Unbeatable fuel economy.I sond a nonrunning 801 (parts tractor) 10 years ago for 1300 at auction.Good deal!Go for it!!

If he is in actually in BR proceedings, he should not be disposing of assets, the court will oversee that, BUT.....

On the other hand, anything you can get is better than nothing.. Last outfit that went BR on me cost me 3 grand, never got anything..

Take the tractor.

An SOS diesel with both engine and transmission problems? I wouldn't be overly optimistic about getting it running without spending more money than it's worth, but you never know. Keep in mind that if it has both engine and trans problems, it will probably require other work such as new brakes. It is certainly worth way more than your 500 bucks, which you can probably kiss goodbye anyway.

The 4000 is a pretty powerful tractor for its size. For a daily runner I'd prefer something a bit newer, but if you can get it running it's worth two to three grand.

Bear in mind that if your employer has declared bankruptcy, that tractor isn't their's anymore.

take the money and run!!!!

If the choices are that tractor + $480 or nothing because they have no money. Then get that tractor out of there pronto !
There are no titles to tractors.
May be a good idea to have then write up a bill of sale and back date before the bankruptcy that way if something comes up you can prove ownership.

+1 on pie weights worth more than $480.

Depending on how much tread is on tires they

are worth more than $480. Sounds like a perfect

opportunity to part out unit and build working

capital for your business venture. Good luck !

oops meant to say tractor = $ 480 not +

Anyhow it's your LUCKY day !!!

Check out the classified ads as someone is looking to buy a Ford 4000 with a bad engine.

Second ad down right now.

I would take it, but based on when bankruptcy was signed and what assets were listed, he might not own that tractor.

John T should be able to weigh in.

Bryce,
I'm not a fan of diesels or SOS, however the tires, weights, parting it out and scrap is worth $480.

As for a 3 bottom, depends on soil.

Because the SOS can go very slow, you should have enough power for the other items.
George

They haven't claimed it yet, they are just flat out broke. They fired their own son because they couldn't afford to put fuel in his log truck, so now he is looking for work, and I have the bad feeling that I am next!

They just owe me, and he brought up the tractor as a possible trade, because they DON'T have any money.

I think I am going to talk to him a little more about the tractor... Sounds like it would at least be a step up from what I have!!

I am not worried about the engine, we could rebuild the entire thing over a weekend in our own shop, the trans. is what worries me. BUT he has this little part sitting on the seat of the tractor, and he says it is what is broke, and he has BOTH halfs of it! It looks to be a very simple part to make to me, and our friend would probably just make me a new one! Bryce

Get dated bill of sale.

(quoted from post at 17:52:10 07/18/14)

I am not worried about the engine, we could rebuild the entire thing over a weekend in our own shop, the trans. is what worries me. BUT he has this little part sitting on the seat of the tractor, and he says it is what is broke, and he has BOTH halfs of it! It looks to be a very simple part to make to me, and our friend would probably just make me a new one! Bryce

Click to expand...

I think you'd better do some research, serious research, before making any assumptions on rebuilding or "fixing" the SOS. Great tractors and trannies when operated with know how. They can also be a money pit. If I was you I'd get it with the idea of parting it out and if it can be fixed easily then it's all gravy.

take it - cuz you aint gettin' the money!

seriously - anybody having that tough a time is probably a LOT deeper in the hole than it appears.

Take what you can in the form of a sure thing, even if you only make pennies on the dollar for what they owe you.

Plus, if there's no animosity there and they've been treating you well, you'll be letting them off the hook kindly for what is probably a very painful situation for them.

Unless they're complete )#$#'s they probably feel pretty awful about not being able to pay you.

Take the tractor, tell them you're happy to consider the debt settled - and leave it at that.

Good deeds come back to you in the long run.

Take it and run..

put the sos idler lever into neutral..its on the side.. load tractor and go..

pie wieghts can bring $600... If engine runs, then it can bring $1000 or more.. good crankshaft and block, and head will bring money..... tranny, if not working, worthless.. if working worthless... rest is part out or scrap...

Tires and rims can bring $800 to $100 pending tread and rim conditions..

Amen. Ditto...... on what Mr. Sutton says. Smile,shake hands and wish them well.

Yep. Get what you can and part company still with some respect for them. You can fix it or part it out you will still be ahead. Like Mr. Sutton get what you can and move on

I have a Ford Jubilee trans & rearend , also have a 860 trans & rearend both gear drive . I’d make ya a deal you couldn’t refuse on either trans . if they would fit and you aren’t to far away .

I'm in North Central Oh .

Your choices seems to be:

Choice 1. Take the tractor for what is owed to you. Leave them with at least the feeling that they "paid you" something. Leave them on a friendly basis. Thank them for the tractor as payment (Do get a properly dated "bill of sale"). Enjoy the tractor, or sell it or part it out & get some cash.

Choice 2. Do not take the tractor. Do not get paid. Get nothing. Leave them feeling bad about the situation. You will feel bad about the situation. You will continue to feel bad about the situation. You will regret your decision to not take the tractor.

I think Choice 1. is a "little better".

Just one "old mans" opinion.

Check around to see what price a running tractor can be purchased for. Also check what you would get if you sold off the good parts (weights & rear tires) and then sold the remainder for scrap. Even with free labor, it's possible that that the cost of parts to fix both the engine and transmission could be more than the cost to buy a different tractor in better condition.

As a creditor, you might be lucky to receive 5 to 20 cents on the dollar owed to you. If a lawyer takes your case he will get 1/3 of what you receive. If you hire a lawyer by the hour it could be around $200 per hour or more.

I would take the tractor, if you can, but re-sell it or part it out ASAP. The tractor may not belong to them anymore. Other creditors will soon be making claims against liquid assets like that.

Don't be too surprised if they or another creditor value the tractor at more than the $480 owed to you and ask you to pay them the difference.

This one can't do anything, with both bad engine and bad bad tranny, blah!

But I'd sure take it, you got something.

Otherwise you got nothing.

Dead tractor is $400.

Good tires bring it up, another $200.

Pie weights add, let's say $400.

Payl

bad feeling, not having any money or hope for money....
He's trying to make it right with you.
Take the tractor.

8-900-4000's are good strong tractors.
even a bit too much power for their weight, but weight can be added.

your posts show you are pretty handy, so do some reading and give it a shot at fixing it.
If it is hopeless, park it and be patient.
a good gas motor and gear tranny will pop up in your travels, then swap em in, and fix it.
being in a hurry and having to fix something right now is when I usually end up losing money.....
I have a few right now that need something major. new parts would be too expensive. The right used stuff will come along. They ain't hurting nothin parked with a tarp over them for now.